Data Sheet
AD8410A
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
inductive load causes the common-mode voltage to be held one
diode drop below ground by the clamp diode.
SOLENOID CONTROL
High-Side Current Sense with a Low-Side
Switch
In the case of a high-side current sense with a low-side switch,
the PWM control switch is ground referenced. Connect an inductive
load (solenoid) to a power supply and place a resistive shunt
between the switch and the load (see Figure 60). An advantage
of placing the shunt on the high side is that the entire current,
including the recirculation current, is measurable because the shunt
remains in the loop when the switch is off. In addition, diagnostics
are enhanced because shorts to ground are detected with the shunt
on the high side.
In this circuit configuration, when the switch is closed, the common-
mode voltage decreases to near the negative rail. When the switch
is open, the voltage reversal across the inductive load causes the
common-mode voltage to be held one diode drop above the battery
by the clamp diode.
Figure 61. High-Side Switch
High Rail Current Sensing
In the high rail current sensing configuration, the shunt resistor is
referenced to the battery. High voltage is present at the inputs of
the current-sense amplifier. When the shunt is battery referenced,
the AD8410A produces a linear ground-referenced analog output.
Additionally, the AD8214 provides an overcurrent detection signal
in <100 ns (see Figure 62). This feature is useful in high current
systems where fast shutdown in overcurrent conditions is essential.
Figure 60. Low-Side Switch
High-Side Current Sense with a High-Side
Switch
The high-side current sense with a high-side switch configuration
minimizes the possibility of unexpected solenoid activation and
excessive corrosion due to constant battery draw (see Figure 61).
In this case, both the switch and the shunt are on the high side.
When the switch is off, the battery is removed from the load, which
prevents damage from potential shorts to ground while still allowing
the recirculating current to be measured and to provide diagnostics.
Removing the power supply from the load for the majority of the
time that the switch is open minimizes the corrosive effects that can
be caused by the differential voltage between the load and ground.
Figure 62. High Rail Current Sensing
INPUT FILTER
In typical applications, such as motor control and solenoid current
sensing, filtering at the input of the AD8410A can be beneficial in
reducing differential noise, as well as transients and current ripples
flowing through the input shunt resistor. Also, it is recommended to
filter at the input of the AD8410A to further reduce the electromag-
netic interference (EMI). The EMI specifications vary depending on
the application. Filter at the input if the output cannot be filtered
because filtering at the output changes the low output impedance
When using a high-side switch, the battery voltage is connected
to the load when the switch is closed, causing the common-mode
voltage to increase to the same value as the battery voltage. In
this case, when the switch is open, the voltage reversal across the
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